This year, it looks like Grand Marshal Week will take over part of campus with its “Rock Around the Block” neighborhood block party theme. As part of a long-standing tradition at Rensselaer, Grand Marshal Week—a week of campuswide celebrations featuring student organizations and student elections—will be held April 8-13. For the duration of the event, the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC) outdoor quad space will be transformed into “GM Week Boulevard,” and serve as the main location for the events.

Each spring, the campus is buzzing with activity as students and members of the Rensselaer community participate in GM Week, which also celebrates student life and government, cultural diversity, and the performing arts. Home to nearly 200 clubs, sports, and organizations, Rensselaer is recognized as one of only 20 colleges and universities in the United States that operates its student union using this structure.

The kickoff event will be held on Monday, April 8, beginning at 11 a.m. Some event highlights include a series of inflatable games, club showcases, live entertainment, and Snowman ice cream giveaways.

On Wednesday, April 10, all members of the campus community are invited to attend the annual Provost’s barbecue and carnival. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Activities include pony rides, balloon animals, rock music, a jazz fest, and little bike races, among others. No classes will be held on April 10.

In addition, Earth Fest activities will be held on Friday, April 12, from noon to 4 p.m.

The finale event will take place on Saturday, April 13 from noon to 11 p.m. Featured activities include a Rensselaer Union activities fair in conjunction with Accepted Students Day, club performances, live music, and an electronic dance music party.

This year, to further promote the event, GM Week organizers are making full use social media by tweeting from @GMWeek and using the RPI Student Activities Facebook page www.facebook.com/rpistudentactivities.